H.R. 561 would expand visa waiver program to countries on a probationary basis,and for other purposes.
Detailed Summary
Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should expand the visa waiver program to nationals of foreign countries that are allies in the war on terrorism.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program to expand the visa waiver program for up to five new countries that are are cooperating with the United States on security and counterterrorism matters.
Requires a country, prior to participation, to conclude a counterterrorism and security information sharing agreement with the United States.
Authorizes: (1) a country to participate for an initial three-year period, with an additional two-year extension; and (2) the Secretary to terminate a country's participation for program noncompliance.
Directs the Secretary to develop and implement procedures to improve the manner of calculating visa overstay rates.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 2/2/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Mr Kays
I have served in NATO, and I see more Hungarians than any other country participating. My wife is Hungarian, and we would very much like to visit my family in the US without having to wait at the consulate for "permission" every time. Get it passed!
L Barnard
This would be wonderful. I have so many international friends in NGOs who have been arbitrarily granted visas one day, rejected the next, granted again a year later... there are better ways to control tourism and illegal immigration and this bill is a great step.
K Diddea
A horrible idea. With the amount of fraud and abuse coming out of these countries, it is unwise to remove the visa requirement.